What Are Collagen Powders Made Of? Sources, Processing, and Types

November 18, 2025 •

4 min read

As the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for about 30% of your total protein, collagen is a crucial building block. Therefore, it's natural to wonder, what are collagen powders made of, and how are these popular supplements produced?

Quick Summary

Collagen powders are made primarily from hydrolyzed animal parts, such as bovine hides, marine fish skin, or chicken cartilage, which are broken down into bioavailable peptides. Vegan alternatives use ingredients that support the body's natural collagen synthesis.

Key Points

Animal-Derived: The primary ingredient in most collagen powders is hydrolyzed animal protein, typically sourced from cows (bovine) or fish (marine).
Hydrolyzed for Absorption: The raw collagen is broken down into smaller peptides through a process called hydrolysis, which makes it easier for the body to absorb and use.
Specific Types, Specific Benefits: Different animal sources provide different types of collagen; for example, bovine is high in Types I and III (skin, bones), while chicken provides Type II (joints).
Vegan Alternatives Work Differently: Vegan 'collagen' powders do not contain actual collagen but rather contain amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that support the body's natural collagen production.
Quality Varies: Due to a lack of FDA regulation, it is important to check for third-party testing on supplement labels to ensure purity and safety.
Supplements Aid Production: Many powders include co-factors like Vitamin C, which is essential for the body to synthesize its own collagen.

Unveiling the Raw Materials: The Animal Sources

For most conventional collagen powders, the journey begins on the farm or in the sea. The raw materials are animal byproducts—specifically connective tissues—that are rich in collagen protein. Manufacturers carefully select and process these sources to ensure a safe and effective final product.

Bovine Collagen

This is one of the most common and widely used sources. Bovine collagen is derived from the hides, bones, and cartilage of cows. The resulting powder is typically rich in Type I and Type III collagen, which are beneficial for skin, bone, and joint health. The cattle byproducts undergo extensive purification and safety measures during processing.

Marine Collagen

Another popular source, marine collagen, comes from the skin and scales of fish. This type is prized for its high bioavailability, meaning it is absorbed more readily by the body compared to other sources. It is also primarily composed of Type I collagen, making it an excellent choice for those seeking benefits specifically for skin elasticity and hydration. Marine collagen is a great alternative for individuals who do not consume red meat.

Chicken Collagen

Less common than bovine and marine, chicken collagen is typically extracted from the sternal cartilage of chickens. This source is particularly valued for its high concentration of Type II collagen, which is the predominant type of collagen found in cartilage that provides joint support. For this reason, chicken-based collagen powders are often marketed for promoting joint comfort and mobility.

Other Animal Sources

While less frequent, collagen can also be sourced from other animal byproducts, including porcine (pig) hides and eggshell membranes. These sources also provide different collagen types and amino acid profiles.

The Hydrolysis Process: From Protein to Peptide

Regardless of the source, raw collagen is not easily absorbed by the human body in its whole form. The crucial step that transforms these animal parts into a dissolvable powder is called hydrolysis. This process uses heat, and sometimes enzymes or acids, to break down the large, triple-helix collagen protein molecules into smaller, more bioavailable peptides.

The steps generally include:

Sourcing Raw Material: Collecting animal connective tissues like hides, bones, or fish scales.
Extraction: Boiling the raw materials in water to extract the collagen.
Hydrolysis: Further breaking down the extracted collagen using enzymes or acids, creating smaller, easily digestible peptides.
Drying and Milling: The resulting liquid is dried and ground into a fine, flavorless powder.
Quality Control: The final product is tested for safety and purity, including screening for heavy metals or contaminants.

The Vegan Alternative: Not Quite Collagen

For those who follow a vegan or plant-based diet, a true collagen powder derived from plants does not exist. This is because collagen is a protein found exclusively in animals. Instead, vegan “collagen” powders are made from a blend of ingredients designed to support the body's natural production of its own collagen. These typically include:

Amino Acids: Providing the building blocks like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which are essential for collagen synthesis.
Vitamin C: A critical co-factor for the enzymes that produce collagen.
Other Nutrients: Zinc, copper, and manganese, all of which play roles in collagen production and stability.
Plant Extracts: Ingredients like aloe vera, ginseng, or certain algae are sometimes added for their purported skin-supportive properties.

Comparison of Collagen Sources

To help you decide which type might be right for you, here is a comparison of the most common collagen sources.


Feature	Bovine Collagen	Marine Collagen	Vegan Collagen Alternative
Source	Hides, bones, and cartilage of cows	Skin and scales of fish	Plant-based amino acids, vitamins, and minerals
Primary Types	Type I and III	Primarily Type I	Contains no actual collagen; provides building blocks for body's own production
Bioavailability	Good	Excellent (smaller peptides)	Varies depending on formulation and body's absorption
Best For	Overall skin, bone, and joint health	Skin elasticity and hydration	Vegans seeking to support natural collagen synthesis
Dietary Suitability	Not suitable for pescetarian or vegan diets	Suitable for pescetarian diets; not for vegan	Suitable for vegan diets

Conclusion

In summary, the makeup of collagen powder is relatively straightforward, but the sources and processing methods are key to understanding its effects. The majority of powders are hydrolyzed collagen peptides derived from animal sources like cows and fish, which offer specific types of collagen for targeted benefits. For those with dietary restrictions, vegan-friendly alternatives are available, though they work by supporting the body's intrinsic collagen production rather than providing the protein directly. Choosing the right collagen powder involves considering your dietary needs, health goals, and ensuring you select a product that has undergone third-party testing for quality and safety. For more in-depth information on dosage and effectiveness, consult a reputable resource like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gelatin is collagen that has only been partially broken down, resulting in a gelling consistency when cooled. Collagen powder, or hydrolyzed collagen, is broken down even further into peptides, making it more easily absorbed and dissolvable in both hot and cold liquids.

No, true collagen comes exclusively from animal sources. However, plant-based supplements provide the amino acids, vitamins, and minerals (like Vitamin C) that the human body needs to produce its own collagen naturally.

Neither is inherently 'better,' but they offer different benefits. Bovine collagen is rich in Types I and III, which are great for general skin, bone, and joint health. Marine collagen is mainly Type I and is considered to have higher bioavailability, making it particularly effective for skin elasticity and hydration.

Vitamin C is a vital cofactor that helps the enzymes in your body synthesize new collagen. Without enough Vitamin C, your body cannot effectively produce collagen, making it a valuable addition to many supplements.

Collagen is processed into powder through hydrolysis. This involves boiling animal parts (hides, bones, etc.) to extract gelatin, which is then further broken down into smaller collagen peptides. This liquid is then dried and milled into a fine powder.

Collagen supplements are generally considered safe, but potential issues can include heavy metal contamination from animal sources. Because supplements are not regulated by the FDA, it is crucial to choose products that are third-party tested for quality and purity.

Look for third-party certifications from independent organizations such as NSF, USP, or others. This indicates the product has been tested for safety, purity, and that the contents match the label claims.